CELPIP

Strategies

Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving

Two people discuss a problem. You track the issue, the options and the decision.

1 - 1.5 min per section · 8 questions · 30s per question

What this part tests

  • A conversation between two people about a specific problem. One person describes issues, and together they discuss possible solutions. You must identify the problem, the solutions considered, and the final decision.
  • Audio plays in 3 segments. After each segment, you listen to and answer multiple-choice questions. The questions are also audio-only and not displayed on screen.

Key strategies

01

Identify the problem in the first exchange

The problem is almost always introduced in the first 20-30 seconds.

Listen for“The thing is…”“I'm having trouble with…”“I need help with…”
02

Track all solutions mentioned, then pick the final one

Multiple solutions are typically discussed. Earlier suggestions are often dismissed ("That won't work because…"). The correct answer usually relates to the last agreed-upon solution.

03

Pay attention to agreement cues

These phrases signal the final decision.

Listen for“That's a great idea”“Let's do that”“I think that would work”
04

Note conditions and qualifications

Sometimes the final solution comes with conditions ("We can do X, but only if Y"). Questions often test whether you caught these nuances.

Common mistakes

Choosing a solution that was mentioned but rejected
Confusing the initial suggestion with the final decision
Missing conditional language that changes the meaning

What it looks like

Note: In the real exam, the audio plays once with no replay and no pause. The questions are also audio-only and will not appear as text on screen.

Instructions:

You will hear a conversation in 3 sections. The conversation is between a sales associate and a customer at an electronics store. The customer is returning a recently purchased item.

Listen to the conversation.
00:0001:03
Question 1 of 8
Choose the best answer to each question.

How to apply the strategies

  • Strategy #1 (Identify the problem early): The customer states the problem in the first exchange: "The battery just doesn't hold a charge anymore." This directly maps to option B.
  • Options A, C, and D are distractors that sound related to laptop issues but don't match the specific complaint.
  • The audio uses the word "battery" while the correct answer rephrases it as "power source." The test often paraphrases key details like this.
Part 1 of 6